Apparatus for play



NOV. 19, 1935. G F, MURG APPARATUS FOR PLAY Filed Nov. `'1.8, 1932 vzo Patented Nov. 19, 1935 UNITED AENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in apparatus for play and has for an object to provide apparatus which may be used in playing a game resembling baseball in many respects, although 5 the rules for play may be varied or modied as desired.

Briefly, my apparatus comprises, in the embodiment illustrated, three elements, a support, a missile and a bat or striker.

I have illustrated this apparatus in the' accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective of the support;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the missile, a portion thereof being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the missile on the support;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the bat or striker; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective of a baseball diamond showing the location of my apparatus when in use.

In the drawing, ID indicates the support shown as substantially of rectangular cross section and having a cleat Illa at the front end which imparts a longitudinal inclination to the support. A shoulder lb is formed at the front end by planing or cutting off a portion of the upper surface of the supportas indicated at Illc. In the face of this shoulder is provided a recess ld, preferably curved to nt the missile, described below.

At each end, the support is provided with a Vertical groove ie, and when the apparatus is arranged for use, stakes Il are driven downwardly in these grooves into the ground to restrain the support against movement.

I2 indicates the missile, which I have illustrated as of elongated form, rounded and provided with a rounded blunt upper end 12a. At the bottom the missile is preferably provided with flattened base portion I2b, from which extends a concavity or recess |2c in the body of the missile, as indicated in Fig. 2.

I5 indicates the bat or striker, which is not stands back of a line spaced sufciently from the missile, so that it is necessary to throw'the bat E5 at the missile rather than to retain it in one 0r both hands while striking. Of course, the latter method may be utilized, but I have found 5 that it adds uncertainty to the game if it be required to throw the bat.

If thrown so as properly to strike the `missile l2, the latter will be projected through the air in a direction depending upon the nature of the 103 blow imparted. If fairly and properly struck, the missile will be directed upwardly and away from the support into the playing eld, the shoulder apparently serving to impart altitude to the missile. f

The rules of baseball may be utilized to provide penalties for fouls, strikes, caught balls, etc. The usual number of players m'ay be employed, although I nd it possible to dispense with a pitcher.

In its broader aspect, my invention is not limited to the specific form of the missile, although that illustrated I have found eminently desirable because it tends to travel axially rather than end over end, which makes it easier to catch.

The missile may be constructed of hard wood, capable of withstanding blows from the bat, and the other elements of the apparatus are also constructed of material suitable for the resistance of blows.

While I do not wish to be restricted to any specific dimensions, I have constructed satisfactory apparatus comprising a missile approximately two inches in maximum diameter .and two and a half inches in height; a bat approximately 28 inches long of 21A; inch maximum diameter, and the support 30 inches long and .approximately 41/2 inches on a side. The shoulder IUb was constructed approximately %ths of an inch in height.

In using this apparatus, the batter is required to stand behind a line twenty-four inches rearwardly of the back end of the support I0 to preclude striking the missile with the bat without releasing the latter.

It will be obvious that my invention is susceptible of modification and I do not wish to be restricted to the form illustrated and described, except as the appended claims require such an interpretation with proper consideration of the prior art.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for play comprising, in combination, a missile, a substantally immovable support for the missile, and an upstanding shoulder on 55 the support for bearing' against one side of the missile, whose height is substantially less than.v

of the missile, whereby the missile is projected upward and outward from the support when struck a sharp blow on its rear.

3. A missile for axial projection, by a sharp blow on one side, from a support having an` upstanding shoulder to bear against the other side,

having a concaved base whose width is sgubstanl tially as small as thevheight of the missile, and

sides thatI are substantially perpendicular to the base for the greater portionfof the height of the missile, the maximum width of the missile being substantially as great as the height.

4. A missile for axial projection, by a sharp blow on one side, from a support having an upstanding shoulder to bear'against the other side, having a concaved base whose width is substantially as small as the height of the missile, and' sides tapering inward toward the base, the maximum width of the missile being substantially as great as the height. Y

5. Apparatus for play, comprising, in combination, a substantially immovable support fora missile, and an upstanding shoulder on the support for bearing against the lower portion of one side of a missile resting on the support,fwhe'reby the missile is projected upward and outward from the support when struck a sharp blowon thev side opposite the shoulder. v A

6. Apparatus for play, comprising, in combination, a substantially immovable support hav,- ing a seat for a missile, an upstanding shoulder on the support having a recess to receive the lower portion of the front of a missile on the seat, and arrunway behind the seat having a length many times the` diameter of the missile that fits the recess and seat, for guiding a thrown bat into contact with the missile to propel it upward and outward from the support.

7. Apparatus for play, comprising, in combination, a missile, a substantially immovable support for the missile, an'upstanding shoulder on the support for bearing against the lower portion of one side of the missile, and a bat ,for striking the other side of the missile to project it upward and outward from the support.

8. Apparatus for play, comprising, in combination, a missile, a substantially immovable support for the missile, an upstanding shoulder on the support for bearing against the lower part of the `fr'ont of the missile, a bat for strikingsthe rear of the missile to project it upward and outward from the support, and a runway behind the seat having a length many times the diameter of the bat, for guiding a thrown bat intor contact with the missile.

9. Apparatus for play, comprising, incombination, an approximately spherical missile having a concaved base, a vsubstantially immovable support having a seattoreceive the base of the missile, andan upstanding shoulder on the support for' bearing against thefront of the missile,

'whose height is substantially Vless than the height of the missile, `wherebyV the missile is projected laxiallyA upward and outward from the support when struck a sharp blow on its rear.

10. Apparatus for play comprising a missile, a support sloping upwardly to a substantially horizontal seat for the missile, terminating in an upstanding shoulder -to bear against the' lower portion of the front 'of the missile, whereby the missile, is projected' upward vand outward from the seat when struck a sharp blow on its rear.

GABRIEL VF'. MURG. 

